Hyponatremia as predictor of symptomatic vasospasm in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage is one of high morbidity in vascular neurology and neurosurgery and one of the clipart for this is symptomatic vasospasm that can leads to delayed cerebral ischemia. Other common complication is electrolytes and fluid homeostasis disturbance and among these, is Sodium disequilibrium, either hypo- or hypernatremia. In our institution we observed that hyponatremia is common, and it is more evident in patient with symptomatic vasospasm. For that we retrospectively looked at the association of hyponatremia and the occurrence of symptomatic vasospasm or delayed cerebral ischemia in aSAH. Methods: Retrospective chart review with daily monitoring of sodium level from day 1 to day 21 from the ictus, aSAH. We include all adult patients (Age > 18 years) who were admitted to intensive care with diagnosis of aSAH and undergone aneurysm securing procedures within 48 h. Results: Among 45 patients 24 (43%) developed symptomatic vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia and it was most common in males (13/22: 59%). Sodium level especially hyponatremia in period between days (1-4) with median of 134 in vasospasm group (50%). Conclusions: Delayed cerebral ischemia/symptomatic vasospasm occurs more commonly in males and associated with hyponatremia (Na+ < 134) and can be predicted in the first 4 days.